Peninsula group promotes 'Coverage to Care'

More than 8 million Americans bought private health insurance for 2014 through the state marketplaces set up by the Affordable Care Act at the urging of the Department of Health and Human Services. Now the federal agency is pushing to translate that coverage into appropriate care for the newly insured.

In Hampton Roads, Celebrate Healthcare, an advocacy group led by Gaylene Kanoyton, will conduct two outreach events this week to educate attendees based on the HHS "A Roadmap to Better Care & a Healthier You."

Last week a Kaiser Family Foundation survey showed that almost 60 percent of marketplace enrollees were previously uninsured, many for as long as five years.

"People are getting confused. We'll explain what the insurance process is. It's important that people understand the process," said Kanoyton. The workshops will offer the same one-on-one assistance that Celebrate Healthcare events — all free — offered at its earlier enrollment events. There will be instruction on everything from how to determine what a policy covers and what it doesn't cover, to potential costs, to choosing a doctor.

Representatives from TFA Benefits insurance brokerage and health-care professionals will be on hand to answer questions.

The "Roadmap" brochure gives a step-by-step guide to using insurance coverage for health care. It emphasizes the importance of preventive measures, many of which are covered without co-pay under the Affordable Care Act, including vaccinations, obesity screening and counseling, and depression screening.

The brochure defines common insurance terms, such as network, provider and deductible. It also explains the distinctions between care by a primary care provider and in the emergency room, and emphasizes the importance of establishing a relationship with a physician for ongoing care.

For help, people are encouraged to call their insurance broker or the federal toll-free help line, 1-800-318-2596. To access the HHS brochure, go to http://www.marketplace.cms.gov/c2c.